Goodreads

Follow me on Twitter

Cannabidiol Does Not Equal Marijuana

Successful treatment of seizures and epilepsy with the compound cannabidiol (CBD) does not equal “marijuana use”.

I have been doing a lot of reading this week about the neurochemistry of the active compounds found in cannabis and the neurological mechanism of which these compounds may affect. I plan to write a little expose on the topic over the weekend, but I want to briefly blurb what I’ve read:

Cannabis, in the bud of the plant, produces 2 main neurologically active compounds (cannabinoids): tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). And, different strains of cannabis produce each compound in different amounts.

Generally speaking, it is THC that recreational users seek. THC is the psychoactive compound responsible for the high associated with the plant. THC is found in higher amounts in the sativa strain. Whereas, the indica strain produces more CBD.

CBD, however, is considered non-psychoactive; in fact, it is thought to counter some of the effects produced by THC. CBD has been found to act agonistically (in induce) neuronal inhibition, and counter epileptic activity. Thus, CBD is the compound that is sought for as treatment for epilepsy (and other disorders).